Kessie 151121 -08 see description for most recent photos
I have not been able to photograph ANYTHING this December, but fortunately, since Kessie reappeared in her old haunts in TMarsh early this winter, my great friend James F has captured her and posted three excellent images showing she has indeed returned for the winter of 2025-6. Other local paparazzi have also documented her in TMarsh....
James' latest photos of Kessie are HERE: www.flickr.com/photos/201644209@N02/54972937839/in/datepo...
American Kestrel female (Falco sparverius) Thomson Marsh, Kelowna, BC.
She's still around, and getting friendlier, if anything....
soty15
NOTE: Nov. 2018, three years later, she's still around, and, as Kessie , is an avian acquaintance par excellence !
My earliest photo of Kessie is dated January 27, 2015: www.flickr.com/photos/8666250@N02/16384053301/in/photostream
UPDATE: September 2021: I had sooo much to learn about this species and this particular bird. SIX YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS and counting since my first image of her here in Kelowna. We hadn't even moved into our condo at that time!
I have been sooo privileged!The life expectancy of an American Kestrel in the wild, according to Cornell's All About Birds is only about 11 years!
Wikipedia has this data to share:The American kestrel is not long-lived, with a lifespan of <5 years for wild birds. The oldest banded wild bird was 11 years and 7 months , while captive kestrels can live up to 14–17 years. Maybe Kessie will go on to set a record!
ADDITIONAL NOTE: AS OF AUGUST 25, 2021, Kessie and her mate Amke are still with us, regularly seen from autumn through early summer. She takes a break from human contact at the peak of breeding season — the hottest time of the year.
She has become my favourite avian acquaintance simply because our connection is the longest I've had with any particular species! See this update from August 2021:
www.flickr.com/photos/8666250@N02/51431333399/in/datepost...
and Amke, her mate: www.flickr.com/photos/8666250@N02/51429831352/in/datepost...
My last sighting of Kessie occurred in January 13, 2025 when we 'spent and afternoon together.'
Kessie 151121 -08 see description for most recent photos
I have not been able to photograph ANYTHING this December, but fortunately, since Kessie reappeared in her old haunts in TMarsh early this winter, my great friend James F has captured her and posted three excellent images showing she has indeed returned for the winter of 2025-6. Other local paparazzi have also documented her in TMarsh....
James' latest photos of Kessie are HERE: www.flickr.com/photos/201644209@N02/54972937839/in/datepo...
American Kestrel female (Falco sparverius) Thomson Marsh, Kelowna, BC.
She's still around, and getting friendlier, if anything....
soty15
NOTE: Nov. 2018, three years later, she's still around, and, as Kessie , is an avian acquaintance par excellence !
My earliest photo of Kessie is dated January 27, 2015: www.flickr.com/photos/8666250@N02/16384053301/in/photostream
UPDATE: September 2021: I had sooo much to learn about this species and this particular bird. SIX YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS and counting since my first image of her here in Kelowna. We hadn't even moved into our condo at that time!
I have been sooo privileged!The life expectancy of an American Kestrel in the wild, according to Cornell's All About Birds is only about 11 years!
Wikipedia has this data to share:The American kestrel is not long-lived, with a lifespan of <5 years for wild birds. The oldest banded wild bird was 11 years and 7 months , while captive kestrels can live up to 14–17 years. Maybe Kessie will go on to set a record!
ADDITIONAL NOTE: AS OF AUGUST 25, 2021, Kessie and her mate Amke are still with us, regularly seen from autumn through early summer. She takes a break from human contact at the peak of breeding season — the hottest time of the year.
She has become my favourite avian acquaintance simply because our connection is the longest I've had with any particular species! See this update from August 2021:
www.flickr.com/photos/8666250@N02/51431333399/in/datepost...
and Amke, her mate: www.flickr.com/photos/8666250@N02/51429831352/in/datepost...
My last sighting of Kessie occurred in January 13, 2025 when we 'spent and afternoon together.'